On the evening of August 27, the Student Union Ballroom at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) was filled with laughter and awe as Sailesh the Hypnotist took the stage. The event, organized by the Office of Student Life, served as a warm welcome to students returning to campus for the new academic year.
Sailesh Jiawan, a licensed clinical hypnotherapist, began his journey into hypnosis at the age of 23.
Reflecting on his early days, Jiawan shared, “I got into it by working for a stage hypnotist for two years in my early 20s. I didn’t realize I had picked it up and would do it for fun.
He added, “I ended up doing a fundraiser show and fell in love with it. I haven’t looked back since.” True enough. Sailesh has crafted a career out of his natural talent, performing on stages across Canada, the United States and Europe.
Sailesh’s fascination with hypnosis began in his early adulthood, and he has since become renowned for his expertise. His talents are showcased not only on stage but also in a documentary film, Sailesh in Iceland, which follows his tour across the country and delves into the power of suggestion and the human mind.
With over 750 performances under his belt at colleges, cruises, fairs, high schools, corporate events, comedy shows and on television, Sailesh delivers between 80 to 120 shows annually. His impressive resume includes opening acts for singers/performers including Bruno Mars, Lil Wayne and Kesha.
Before diving into the hypnotic performances, Sailesh educates his audience about the science behind hypnosis, emphasizing the importance of safety and consent. He explains that hypnosis is a natural state we all experience, whether it’s zoning out while driving or getting lost in a meditation session. “Students experience hypnosis 30-35 times per day,” he articulates, highlighting how common the phenomenon is.
Sailesh reassured the audience that his goal was not to manipulate or embarrass the participants but to guide their subconsciouses, much like a guided meditation. As students on stage closed their eyes, rested their palms on their thighs and followed Sailesh’s voice, they were gradually led into a deep state of relaxation and eventually commanded to ‘sleep.’
The show blended comedy, music and hypnosis, resulting in numerous hilarious moments. Participants found themselves in amusing situations, such as blushing in front of someone they believed to be the ‘sexiest man alive’ or enthusiastically playing air guitar to a German heavy metal song.
One particularly memorable moment involved a student whom Sailesh asked for a belt. After hypnotizing the student to forget that the belt had been removed, Sailesh instructed everyone on stage to perceive the belt as a snake. The reactions were priceless as the participants recoiled in fear, pushing their chairs back in an attempt to distance themselves from the imagined serpent.
After this demonstration, Sailesh shared a piece of wisdom that resonated deeply with the audience: “We create fear where there never was fear.” Though everyone knew the belt was not a snake, the lesson extended beyond the performance, offering a poignant reflection on the fears we often conjure in our minds. It was a reminder that the true power of suggestion lies not just in entertainment, but in the everyday thoughts that shape our realities.
